Policy centre aims to strengthen the role of victims

Heather Hamilton reports that the Government of Canada is embarking on a significant effort to enhance federal victim-related programs. The government is designating additional federal funding for the Department of Justice’s Policy Centre for Victim Issues, an office mandated to develop national initiatives to strengthen the voice of victims. The Policy Centre will coordinate federal programs and initiatives relating to victims, and it will be a focal point for research and information on behalf of victim legislation, programs, and policies. This article also contains a special section with the Canadian Statement of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime.